The Other Christs

Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom

Candida R. Moss

This book uses the martyr's imitation of Jesus in the acts of the martyrs as a window into the history of ideas.

Argues that the assimilation of the martyr to Christ goes further than the narrative contours and stylistic features of their deaths.

The Other Christs

Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom

Candida R. Moss

Description

Through groundbreaking analysis of early Christian texts, Candida Moss reveals that the words, actions, and deaths of martyrs are modeled on those of Christ. Moss traces this imitation through the literature of the Jesus movement and early church, then examines interpretations of the martyr's death and afterlife. Arguing against the dominant theory that the martyr's death was seen as a sacrifice, Moss finds that beyond death martyrs continue to be assimilated to Christ as intercessors, judges, enthroned monarchs, and banqueters. Though characterization of the martyr as "another Christ" ultimately conflicted with theological commitments to Christ's uniqueness, Moss shows that, for a brief period, the martyr's imitation was viewed as sharing in the status of the exalted Christ.

The Other Christs

Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom

Candida R. Moss

Author Information

Candida R. Moss is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame. She is the winner of the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise.

The Other Christs

Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom

Candida R. Moss

Reviews and Awards

Candida R. Moss was named a winner of the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise

"This is an original and insightful study that contributes significantly to our understanding of the cult of the saints, its literary representation in the acta martyrum, and the development of early Christian Christology and soteriology. It should become a standard work in the history of early Christian martyrdom and a valuable resource for the study of early Christian theology."---Bryn Mawr Classical Review

" In this fascinating study of Christian martyrdoms from the second and third centuries, Candida Moss opens up a new perspective by researching the implications of the imitatio Christi theme: presenting the martyrs as Other Christs." --Jan Willem van Henten, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Graduate School for Humanities at the University of Amsterdam

"Scholars of Christian antiquity have long been captivated by the accounts of the pre-Constantinian martyrs. With fresh eyes and theoretically informed interests, Candida "Moss devotes this ground breaking study to one the most significant and overlooked themes of this ancient literature: martyrdom as an imitatio Christi. Anyone in the least interested in the early Christian movement should relish this full and insightful study." -- Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"In The Other Christs, Candida Moss offers a rich and many-layered examination of the ancient Acta of the martyrs, showing how --- despite their many other differences --- these compositions both portray and encourage the imitation of Christ in death as well as in life. Of particular significance is her argument that the Acta represent an important mode of New Testament reception and interpretation. Her skill at putting relatively obscure texts into conversation with all-too-familiar ones leads to a greater appreciation for the place of martyrdom in early Christian thought and practice." --Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University

"In this carefully argued study, Candida R. Moss makes a convincing case for the broad diversity of theologies and ideologies at play in pre-Constantinian Christian martyr acts...Moss has a remarkable grasp of the relevant primary literature beyond just the "usual suspects" so often assigned in introductory courses. And the work that she does in this book to put more familiar texts in conversation with lesser known ones is a welcome contribution to the field."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion